A joint operation by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Drive, and the Nationwide Crime Company noticed the 244 metre oil tanker Smyrtos boarded and seized off the UK’s south coast.
For the primary time, the UK has led the seizure of a suspected Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker, following within the footsteps of numerous NATO allies. Royal Marine Commandos and specialist civilian regulation enforcement officers have been supported by Merlin, Wildcat, and Chinook helicopters, a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol plane, and the Royal Navy vessels HMS Sutherland and HMS Ledbury.
The Smyrtos, which formally flies the flag of Cameroon, departed from a Russian port within the Baltic on Jun. 5, 2026. It has been listed on the UK’s sanctioned vessels record since July of final yr.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer beforehand introduced in March that seizure operations like this one had been given the authorized all-clear. An official authorities press launch clarifies: “UNCLOS Article 110 permits a warship to train a proper of go to to confirm the flag the place there are affordable grounds to suspect the vessel is with out nationality. The place a vessel is set stateless, the UK can train powers out there beneath its home laws.”
Now anchored off Portland, Dorset, the vessel’s long run future is probably going but to be determined. It’s going to proceed to be monitored for security and environmental functions.
UK has seized a shadow tanker this morning.
SMYRTOS, 9389100, has an nearly actually false flag from Cameroon, Chinese language house owners and Indian managment.
Final port Ust Luga, Russia – therefore laden with oil. pic.twitter.com/Hj78RCQWKm
— auonsson (@auonsson) June 14, 2026
The chosen location of the seizure notably put a number of of the UK’s key maritime raiding capabilities straight into play. Naval helicopters may function straight from their base at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, in the meantime – though the UK Authorities doesn’t routinely remark or affirm particulars of operations by the UK Particular Forces (UKSF) – the world-famous Particular Boat Service (SBS) is headquartered close by in Poole and maintained on standby for counter-terrorism and seizure operations corresponding to this.
42 Commando from Bickleigh Barracks, Plymouth – who’re confirmed to have had a serious function within the operation – have additionally undergone particular preparations for boarding operations, and as of February 2026 have been validated as a part of the brand new Particular Operations Maritime Job Group.
Earlier this month, UK forces supported the French-led seizure of the tanker Tagor 400 nautical miles off the Brittany coast. The U.S., Belgium, Sweden, and Finland have all individually led comparable operations.
BREAKING: Royal Marines, with help of personnel from the Nationwide Crime Company, have boarded a sanctioned Russian oil tanker within the English Channel for the primary time.
The vessel, the Smyrtos, was seized throughout a six-hour navy operation which concerned plane from the… pic.twitter.com/hucZQfdurs
— Tom Cotterill (@TomCotterillX) June 14, 2026
Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ includes service provider vessels that are used to evade worldwide sanctions. These ships repeatedly change their flag and their identities, masquerade as different vessels or cover utterly on Automated Identification System (AIS) screens, and use middleman ships to refuel at sea to keep away from needing to enter probably non-friendly ports. One of many major cargoes for Russia’s fleet is oil, permitting Russia to proceed transferring product between pleasant nations even whereas beneath sanctions.
No particulars have but been launched concerning what is going to occur to the members of crew discovered aboard the ship. Earlier boardings by NATO allies have seen the vessel’s captains arrested and dealing with prosecution.
The operation was the primary public enterprise by the UK Commando Drive (UKCF) beneath its new title. Previously often called 3 Commando Brigade, UKCF is the particular operations centered phase of the Royal Marines and includes Royal Marines personnel in addition to members of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Drive, and British Military who’ve accomplished the All Arms Commando Course.
My letter to the Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/j9z9nmLCb1
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) June 11, 2026
It was additionally the primary main operation overseen by the brand new Secretary of State for Defence, Dan Jarvis. Jarvis was promoted to the function from his former place as a safety minister within the House Workplace after the resignation of John Healey on Jun. 11. The previous defence secretary argued that the federal government was failing to organize for the worldwide safety state of affairs and wouldn’t launch the funds he believes are needed to construct the energy of the UK’s armed forces.
